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SHOCKING EXTORTION: Nigeria Police Force Demands N500k Bribe From Blogger in Port Harcourt Over His Goodwill Gesture

In a disturbing episode that exposes the entrenched rot within the Nigeria Police Force, a young blogger has bravely come forward to share a harrowing tale of extortion, humiliation, and corruption. What began as a simple gesture of goodwill at a police checkpoint in Eliozu, Port Harcourt, spiraled into a full-blown extortion attempt, with officers demanding a staggering N500,000 bribe.

The blogger, whose identity has been withheld for safety reasons, recounted that he was driving past the Eliozu roundabout checkpoint when he was flagged down by officers. As a routine practice rooted in empathy and encouragement, he extended a token of N500 to one of the officers. To his utter shock, the officer accused him of attempted bribery, raising a loud alarm that drew the attention of other policemen.

“I asked him, ‘Did I commit any offense? Is there anything wrong with my documents? If I wanted to bribe you, would it be just N500?’” he narrated on social media. But the matter escalated quickly. He was ordered to stay put, and within minutes, backup arrived. The blogger was arrested and taken away.

The officers marched him to meet their superior, who coldly gave him an ultimatum: either pay N500,000 for “attempting to bribe a police officer” or be detained indefinitely at the police station.

Shocked, the blogger asked, “Where am I supposed to get N500k? I can’t even afford fuel for my car!” His protest fell on deaf ears.

He was then taken to the police station, where the drama took a more complex turn.

At the station, he was ushered in to meet the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). According to the blogger, the DPO was more composed and interested in hearing the full story.

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Upon learning that the young man was a blogger, the DPO expressed interest in the digital space. “He said he was a computer scientist and asked me questions about blogging and tech trends,” the blogger recalled.

After hearing the full narrative and finding no incriminating evidence, the DPO agreed to release him, but not without attaching a cost: a N30,000 bribe.

“I was tired, humiliated, and drained. I gave them the N30,000 just to be free. No receipt. No official documentation. Just cash into private hands,” he lamented.

Following the blogger’s viral post, social media erupted with fury. Thousands of Nigerians responded, sharing their own tales of police brutality, extortion, and harassment.

“If N500 is bribery, what do we call N30k?” one user wrote.

“How does generosity become a crime in Nigeria?” another added.

The consensus was clear: Nigerians are fed up with a police system that weaponizes its power against the people it claims to protect.

This incident sheds light on the broader issue of unchecked police corruption in Nigeria. Key concerns include:

1. Extortion as Routine: Roadblocks have become cash collection points.
2. No Transparency: Bribes are collected with no paperwork or receipts.
3. No Oversight: There is rarely any consequence for rogue officers.
4. Weaponizing the Law: Innocent gestures are twisted into “offenses” to justify illegal detentions.

Despite several police reform initiatives, such as the disbandment of SARS and calls for accountability, cases like this reveal that systemic rot persists at the grassroots level.

“This was my first time ever entering a police station, and it turned out to be the most traumatic day of my life. I was not a criminal. I was just a kind Nigerian who believed our officers needed support.”

He added: “But that goodwill was used against me. The police didn’t see a citizen to protect. They saw a wallet to empty.”

IgbereTV calls on all Nigerians who have experienced similar police harassment to share their stories. We believe that only through mass exposure can change truly begin.

Let us end the silence. Let us expose the rot. Let us reclaim dignity in policing.

SHOCKING EXTORTION: Nigeria Police Force Demands N500k Bribe From Blogger in Port Harcourt Over His Goodwill Gesture | #IgbereTV

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – In a brazen display of police intimidation and extortion, a young blogger was illegally detained and forced to pay N30,000 out of N500,000 originally demanded after simply offering an officer N500 as a token of appreciation at an Eliozu checkpoint.

How It Happened

The victim, who shared his ordeal on social media, explained that he was driving near the Eliozu roundabout when he was stopped by police officers. Out of habit and goodwill, he voluntarily handed one officer N500, only for the officer to suddenly raise an alarm, accusing him of bribery.

“I asked him, ‘Did I commit an offense? Is there anything wrong with my papers? If I wanted to bribe you, would it be just N500?’” the blogger recounted.

Despite his explanation that he was simply being generous—as he had done with other officers in the past—the situation escalated. The officers called for backup, and he was taken to meet their superior, who gave him an ultimatum:

– Pay a N500,000 fine for “attempting to bribe an officer”

– OR face detention at the station

“Where am I supposed to find N500k to give them? I can’t even afford fuel for my car!” he lamented.

Taken to the Police Station

After prolonged arguments, he was taken to the station, where he met a higher-ranking officer (DPO). Fortunately, the officer was more reasonable and listened to his side of the story.

The DPO informed him that giving money to police officers without them requesting it is technically an offense, even if the intention wasn’t bribery. The officer then questioned him about his profession (blogging) and even engaged him in a brief discussion about tech (since the DPO was a computer scientist).

After verifying his story, the DPO still demanded N30,000 bribe before releasing him.

Public Outrage & Reactions

The blogger’s post has since gone viral, sparking outrage among Nigerians who shared similar experiences of police intimidation and extortion. Many questioned:

– “If N500 is a bribe, why did they later collect N30k?”

– “Why punish goodwill while actual bribery goes unchecked?”

– “Is this how we encourage trust between citizens and the police?”

Final Words from the Victim:

“This was my first time ever entering a police station, and it was my worst experience with the police. The worst part? It happened right here in our own Port Harcourt.”

The Ugly Truth:

This isn’t about “law enforcement” – it’s about finding any excuse to extort innocent Nigerians. The blogger committed no crime, yet was:

Illegally detained

Threatened with false charges

Forced to pay a “fine” that went straight into police pockets

The Bigger Problem:

While the police claim to be fighting corruption, checkpoint extortion remains their biggest revenue stream. This case proves:

1. No receipt was issued for the N30,000

2. No official charge was filed

3. No investigation occurred – just instant punishment for being kind

Have you been victimized by police extortion? Share your story in the comments

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Credit: Igbere Tv